Weston participates in statewide emergency drill

Weston took part in a statewide emergency preparedness drill last week for the benefit of towns in the northern part of Connecticut.

The drill allowed state, local officials, utility companies, and the private sector to exercise planning and preparation in advance of the height of hurricane season.

“Last week’s drill brought all of the state’s partners together to prepare for the types of storms and other emergencies that are inevitable but whose impact we have a responsibility to try to counteract in the most efficient way possible,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a press statement.

Nearly 160 participating municipalities and tribal nations activated their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and convened their local Unified Commands. The drill was scheduled over a two-day period to allow towns with volunteer staff to choose to participate on the weekend, and towns with paid staff to participate on a weekday in order to reduce costs.

The drill was part of Mr. Malloy’s ongoing Emergency Preparedness and Planning Initiative (EPPI).

Weston Police Sergeant Mike Ferullo acted as Weston’s Unified Command for the drill. He said the state runs drills every year in different regions, and this year the drill was held for the benefits of regions four and five in the northwest corner of the state.

“The question posed during the drill was how Weston could respond to those regions in a statewide emergency,” Sgt. Ferullo said.

He said the focus was on mutual aid and Weston’s response protocols to hypothetical issues. “We were asked if Weston would be able to provide manpower and equipment in an emergency. We could provide trucks and variable message signs, but not manpower,” he said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a very active hurricane season with 13 to 20 named storms. Around seven to 11 of them could become hurricanes, with three to six possibly becoming major hurricanes. This is well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Materials related to the exercise and the governor’s Emergency Planning and Preparedness Initiative can be found at ct.gov/demhs.